About Medical Electives Peru

Our Story

We started Medical Electives Peru in 2011 while living in Trujillo with our young children. Kevin is British, and Gladys is Peruvian and a qualified midwife.

In Trujillo

At the time, we saw a gap in the programs available to medical students. Many offered general Spanish classes rather than Medical Spanish taught with healthcare professionals. Others provided only limited clinical exposure, with activities that did not always give students a meaningful understanding of healthcare in Peru.

We wanted to create something more complete: a program that combined serious Medical Spanish teaching, genuine clinical experience and full cultural immersion.

Building the Program

During the 14 years we lived in Trujillo, we developed strong links with local healthcare institutions and community organizations. Through these relationships, we now work with local hospitals, include physicians as part of our teaching team and partner with local organizations to run weekly community health fairs in underserved areas of the city.

We began by working mainly with medical students, but the program has grown over the years. Today, we welcome medical and physician assistant students, residents, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, attending physicians and other healthcare professionals.

We have always regarded Medical Spanish and clinical experience as equally important. Spanish is taught by experienced language teachers and physicians, helping participants develop everyday language skills alongside the terminology and communication skills they need in healthcare settings.

Immersion continues outside the classroom. Participants stay with local host families or in accommodation within a ten-minute walk of our center. The program also includes accommodation with two meals a day, airport pickup and drop-off, travel insurance, and a gym membership. Our aim is to make the experience as straightforward and well supported as possible.

The program now also includes AAFP Prescribed Medical Spanish CME.

Personal Support, Local Team

Our time is now split between Peru and the UK. Kevin continues to handle bookings, participant communication and UK-based administration, and connects with participants through WhatsApp once they book. He remains available before, during and after their time in Peru.

In Trujillo, the day-to-day program is delivered by our experienced local team, including our general manager, teaching coordinator, language teachers, physicians, drivers and host families.

One of the most rewarding parts of running the program is hearing from former participants who tell us that their improved Spanish has helped them communicate more confidently with patients and provide better care.

Kevin & Gladys